A megadeal involving some of the biggest players in live entertainment, including Ticketmaster, AEG and Cablevision/Madison Square Garden (MSG), is nearing the finish line.

With Live Nation ending its long relationship with Ticketmaster at the end of this year and moving ticketing operations in-house, this deal makes sense for a lot of reasons. Live Nation has few competitors, but AEG and MSG have the muscle to pose a threat in certain markets.

Read all about it here in Encore...

http://encore.celebrityaccess.com/index.php?encoreId=117&articleId=25201

Classical music fans are celebrating this morning after news a new symphony orchestra is being formed in South Florida.

The Florida Philharmonic, for years the resident orchestra in South Florida, went out of business several years ago after declining sales and spiraling costs. They used to do six concerts a year at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts.

Will the new orchestra find an audience? Classical music's popularity is waning as thousands of older fans pass away and are not replaced with younger audiences demanding this type of music. It will be interesting to see it unfold.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/lifestyle/sfl-muclcafpnfeb04,0,453444.story